The few, the proud, the slobbery: The East Bay Regional Park District wants you.
The countryʼs largest park district relies on a brave cadre of canines to serve on its Companion Dog Patrol, a very furry volunteer unit of the districtʼs police department. Dogs in the patrol serve as four-legged role models on the trails: They are well behaved off leash, they comfort lost and injured hikers, and their guardians clean up waste and can answer the publicʼs questions about the districtʼs dog rules. The dogs wear special park district vests with pockets for extra dog-waste bags and even extra leashes.
“Mostly, itʼs just fun,” said Mary Ann Fernandez, guardian of Coco, a 110-pound chocolate Labrador Retriever who has been on the patrol for nine years. “Being in the parks is great, of course, but Coco loves interacting with people, especially kids. He gets lots of loving. Itʼs great for him, people on the trails seem to love it, and itʼs good for us, too.”
Coco is one of 13 dogs in the unit, which was created in 1988. Most of the dogs and their guardians hit the trails once or twice a week to greet hikers and meet new dogs. The primary purpose is to educate dog guardians about the park districtʼs dog rules and generally serve as canine good-will ambassadors. District staff also rely on handlers to report vandalism, downed trees, potholes, and other issues.
“The dogs and their guardians can get to places we canʼt get to as easily. So in a way theyʼre our eyes and ears on the trail,” said Heather Gilfillan, the police departmentʼs volunteer coordinator. “Theyʼre a huge help for us.”
Any breed can be part of the patrol. The current crop includes everything from Chihuahuas to German shepherds. But the dogs must pass tough behavior tests to ensure theyʼre good around people, horses, emergency vehicles, and other dogs. Every year they must get re-certified.
“Basically, weʼre looking for good dogs and responsible dog guardians,” Gilfillan said.
Coco isnʼt just a dog role model on the trails. He marches in Dublinʼs St. Patrickʼs Day parade and Pleasantonʼs holiday parade (in his uniform, of course) and appears at the occasional fishing derby, as well. Once he and Fernandez found a hikerʼs lost keys on the Alameda Creek Trail, and Coco was able to track down the rightful owner. When the owner turned out to have two aggressive pit bulls, Coco respectfully kept his distance, and Fernandez tossed the keys safely to the owner. She was extremely thankful, Fernandez said.
“Coco was definitely a hero,” Fernandez said. “Or at least we thought so.” To learn more about the Companion Dog Patrol and how to volunteer, go to ParkPatrol.org/cdp.
Carolyn Jones is the public information supervisor for public affairs at the East Bay Regional Park District. She is also an animal-lover and dog guardian.
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